Leak detector and utilization pressure manifold

Abstract

A utilization pressure/leak detector includes two valves (28, 30) for being disposed in series between a meter (18) and a customer's riser valve (20). A gauge (24) is disposed between the two valves (28, 30) for testing utilization pressure and for leak detection. A check swivel assembly (34) is provided for interconnecting one side of the valve (28) to the meter (18). A valve (38) interfaces with an orifice (40) to provide a predetermined gas flow between the meter (18) and a valve (28) to act as a load. To test the utilization pressure, gas is provided to the meter (18) and valve (28) opened with the valve (38) also open to provide a load on the system. Valve (38) is closed to determine the lock up for the regulator (14). Leak testing is achieved by opening valve (38) to pressurize the customer's piping and then closing valve (28) observation of the gauge (24) for providing indication of a leak in the customer's piping.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for performing a set-up procedure for a gas service that is connected to a customer's piping, comprising: providing an intermediate volume;   providing a pressure measuring device in communication with the intermediate volume to allow measurement of the pressure thereof;   connecting the intermediate volume between a gas supply associated with the gas service and the customer's piping;   pressurizing the customer's piping through the intermediate volume;   isolating the intermediate volume from the gas supply such that the intermediate volume remains in communication with the customer's piping;   observing the pressure measuring device for a predetermined amount of time, a reduction in pressure indicating the presence of a leak;   removing the intermediate volume from between the gas supply and the customer's piping and connecting the customer's piping to the gas supply; and   measuring utilization pressure prior to pressurizing the customer's piping through the intermediate volume, the steps of measuring utilization pressure comprising: isolating the intermediate volume from the customer's piping,   connecting the gas supply to the intermediate volume,   allowing gas to escape from the intermediate volume at a predetermined rate, and   measuring the pressure in the intermediate volume.     
     
     
       2. The method of claim 1 and further comprising measuring fluid flow to a customer's piping from the intermediate volume. 
     
     
       3. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of measuring fluid flow comprises disposing a series fluid flow meter between the intermediate volume and the customer's piping. 
     
     
       4. The method of claim 3 and further comprising measuring the approximate volume of the customer's piping prior to measuring the leak. 
     
     
       5. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of measuring the fluid flow comprises: pressurizing the intermediate volume and the customer's piping;   observing the rate of the decrease of pressure in the intermediate volume; and   correlating the rate of the decrease with a known decrease rate to determine the size of a leak.   
     
     
       6. A method for performing a set-up procedure for a gas service that is connected to a customer's piping, comprising: providing an intermediate volume;   providing a pressure measuring device in communication with the intermediate volume to allow measurement of the pressure thereof;   connecting the intermediate volume between a gas supply associated with the gas service and the customer's piping;   pressurizing the customer's piping through the intermediate volume;   isolating the intermediate volume from the gas supply such that the intermediate volume remains in communication with the customer's piping;   observing the pressure measuring device for a predetermined amount of time, a reduction in pressure indicating the presence of a leak;   removing the intermediate volume from between the gas supply and the customer's piping and connecting the customer's piping to the gas supply;   wherein a gas meter is disposed in the gas supply at the point where the supply is operable to be connected to the customer's piping; and   further comprising checking the operation thereof by the steps of: isolating the intermediate volume from the customer's piping,   interfacing the intermediate volume with the gas supply through the gas meter,   allowing gas to escape from the intermediate volume at a predetermined flow rate, and   observing the gas meter to determine that the gas meter registers a predetermined gas level in accordance with the volume of gas escaping at the predetermined flow rate.     
     
     
       7. An apparatus for performing a set-up test procedure for a gas service that is connected to the customer's piping, comprising: an intermediate volume of a predetermined size;   a pressure measuring device disposed in communication with said intermediate volume to allow measurement of the pressure thereof;   a first valve for being connected on one side thereof to said intermediate volume to allow isolation of said intermediate volume;   a first interface for connecting said intermediate volume to the customer's piping;   a second interface for connecting the other side of said first valve to the gas service;   wherein said first valve is operable to be in an open position to connect the gas service to said intermediate volume and also the customer's piping to allow pressurization thereof and to be closed after pressurization to allow said pressure measuring device to be observed for a predetermined amount of time to determine if a leak exists in the customer's piping;   a second valve disposed between said intermediate volume and said first interface such that it is placed between said intermediate volume and the customer's piping;   a third valve having one side thereof of in communication with said intermediate volume;   an orifice having a predetermined flow rate for being disposed on the opposite side of said third valve from said intermediate volume;   wherein said second valve is operable to be closed when said first and third valves are open such that a utilization pressure can be measured; and   wherein said second valve is operable to be closed after pressurization of said intermediate volume and said third valve is operable to be closed to provide an indication on said pressure measuring device of the operation of the gas service regulated pressure.   
     
     
       8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the gas service includes a gas cut-off valve for inhibiting gas flow to said intermediate volume wherein said gas cut-off valve is operable to be cut off during observation of said meter. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of claim 7 and further comprising: a low flow rate orifice of a predetermined and low flow rate for being disposed in communication with said intermediate volume;   said low flow rate orifice providing an indication of a low flow rate form the gas service, when said first valve is open and said second valve is closed and said third valve is closed, such that gas escaping through said low flow rate orifice will provide an indication of low volume readings for the gas service.   
     
     
       10. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said pressure measuring device comprises a pressure gauge connected to said intermediate volume. 
     
     
       11. The method of claim 7 and further comprising a flow measuring device disposed in series with said intermediate volume and said first interface to measure flow rate therethrough. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of claim 7 and further comprising means for measuring the approximate volume of the customer's piping. 
     
     
       13. An apparatus for performing a set-up test procedure for a gas service that is connected to the customer's piping, comprising: an intermediate volume of a predetermined size;   a pressure measuring device disposed in communication with said intermediate volume to allow measurement of the pressure thereof;   a first valve for being connected on one side thereof to said intermediate volume to allow isolation of said intermediate volume;   a first interface for connecting said intermediate volume to the customer's piping;   a second interface for connecting the other side of said first valve to the gas service;   wherein said first valve is operable to be in an open position to connect the gas service to said intermediate volume and also the customer's piping to allow pressurization thereof and to be closed after pressurization to allow said pressure measuring device to be observed for a predetermined amount of time to determine if a leak exists in the customer's piping;   wherein the gas service includes a gas cut-off valve for inhibiting gas flow to said intermediate volume wherein said gas cut-off valve is operable to be cut off during observation of said meter; and   a bleed valve disposed between said gas cut-off valve and said first valve to bleed pressure form the other side of said first valve when said first valve and said gas cut-off valve are closed.